PNWR 2309 - PNWR 2301 - PNWR 2311 - PNWR 2312 power quad ready to pick up southbound local mixed freight from the north yard area at Vancouver Center in the spray of dying evening light across from the pool... I mean, turn pool-table... I mean... turn-table... through drizzly skies (if youve never been to the Pacific Northwest, it does take a little to get used to the fact sun or even blue skies (if and when they occur) can still be accompanied by rain - like in this shot where it looks like a sunset glare, but its really refracted light through the rain).

PNWR 2312 middle of three on local run. Shes still sporting the ATSF yellow-bonnet look without really any significant P&W/W&P/PNWR marks (except small note on the cab and worn-off Willamette text over the "nta").

PNWR 2315 - PNWR 2312 - PNWR 2311 and BNSF 1779 making the excuse to get a picture of our new turntables current state and the northern section of our new wye-by-pass lane under conditions not requiring waders, umbrella (as if I owned one), and liquid sunshine.

PNWR 2312 now in the lead... and squashing my enthusiasm that we got a new yellow-bonnet yard girl: even though from this angle it looks like ATSF/BNSF scheme, its really PNWR. Darn. Eh, its a picture of switches/points/turn-outs.

BNSF 2721 on the turn-table (as if on cue to prove me wrong as Id recently pointed out Id never got to see it work... now I have - more later in this paragraph) recently disconnected from her sister BNSF 1948, and getting spun around to place them long nose - to - long nose. Out on the passing lane with northbound covered hopper pushing duty is BNSF 8361 while PNWR 2312 - PNWR 2315 - PNWR 2311 trio waits to exit out of the north ladder yard with southbound local mixed freight into Portland. As for the round table / turn table... it was neat to watch, although being sunset and looking into the sun a little challenging (I know, complaining about cool train stuff, I feel funny doing it) - but the sound - talk about absolute let down (and my ears bleed for the poor workers) - theres no deep rumble, no satisfying clanks or clicks - only high pitched, whines and squeals (you know, like trackside wheel sets that just screech to high-heaven and make your jaw ache). So save your money on the sound equipped DCC turn table option (or hope our new table is just modern wussy sounds and the classic, pre-1950s version is more cool.

PNWR 2312 - PNWR 3007 - PNWR 2317 - PNWR 2306 sloshing into Vancouver Center and making way to the (right) north to snag a local group of mixed freight before reversing direction and hustling back south across the bridge, where theyre pushing for their own record levels of rainfall.

I've been seeing this beautifully symetrical set, with its interestingly faded SF heritage schemes, running back and forth through Portland for a couple of weeks now. This is the first time I've managed to catch it with my camera though.